Our weekly update

New Zealand News: New TPP preserves the benefits for rural communities; Myrtle rust appears in west Auckland; Climate model gets the measure of myrtle rust ; Fruit early, but shortage of workers; Urban sprawl and the land that keeps on giving; What we're after is a level playing ground; Zespri wins 2degrees Best Growth Strategy award; Exports drive significant growth in New Zealand avocado industry; Delphinium season starts in New Zealand; Global demand for mini-apples drives orchard investment; Seeka upgrades operational guidance to within 5% of 2016 profit; Cheaper veg in New Zealand contributes to food prices dropping 0.1%; Proposed water conservation order could seriously affect horticulture industry.

New Zealand News: CPTPP the changes and next steps; IrrigationNZ accuses Greenpeace of misrepresenting irrigation funding in New Zealand; Cherry harvest begins; New Zealand avocados step closer to China; Avocados causing shifts in land use in New Zealand; AVOCO's avocado exports growing; Roses to shine at international rose trials.

New Zealand News: PMAC AGM, Annual report and new strategy; Revised Trans-Pacific Partnership a better deal for New Zealand; Government welcomes WTO ruling against Indonesia; MPI Change or no change?; SFO decides not to file charges against Zespri; Freshmax promotes from within; Memorandum – a way to develop horticulture on Māori land; Fungicide damage on apples; New device helps determine kiwi taste before picking; More science added to 5+ A Day; Horticultural land sold to foreigners; Since 1909, winter in New Zealand has become 30 days shorter.

International news: GAIN reports; EU report confirms high safety standards in crop protection; Organic industry across the globe continues to grow; Huge scam involving organic fruit and vegetables discovered in Sicily; Maersk Line in profit but volume dropped in Q4 after cyberattack; Research shows that persimmons may help reduce risk of heart attack; Researchers develop food wrapping that kills bacteria; Spider venom could be the pesticide of the future; Spider venom could be the pesticide of the future; Circadian clock discovery could help boost water efficiency in food plants; Artificial seeds: even better than the real thing?; Frankenfood or the future of agriculture?